As a sign of joy and lasting years, the Greek custom calls for breaking vases and plates at weddings. Since TikTok became so popular, breaking plates has taken on a whole new meaning.
The "Letting Go Plates" trend started in the wake of the pandemic. This quick, easy exercise is a great way to relieve stress and let go of frustration, anger, and anxiety. On plates, people leave words, poetry, stories, and other traces that hold meaning, which they wish to discard.
For those of us who like to take control, these measures offer a way out. When you take charge of what you can control, rather than wishing you controlled what you cannot, you will see incredible changes happening to your life. Let's be honest, whenever we solve a problem or confront a worry, our mood improves.
On a plate, jot down the issues you are facing. Smack the plate into smithereens with a hammer. It's been a favorite exercise of mine for a long time. I swear by it. By listing problems on a plate, one achieves mental and emotional relief, resulting in positive changes. It may sound ridiculous, but you should give it a shot before dismissing it. If life's platter is too full, it is time to smash it.
A while back, this divine idea touched me. It was such a crazy and profound experience for me. Today, I awoke to a Snapchat message telling me it was exactly one year ago that this event occurred.
When my family and I went to our annual family retreat on Lake last year, I broke three boxes of plates.
Even I had a hard time letting go of stress. In times of stress or conflict, I tend to ruminate or hold onto negative feelings. However, I have overcome my frustrations and stress. Here is where my tale begins.
Since healthy people seek help when they are troubled, I also sought help from a counselor. A combination of mediocre communication, grief from losing my job, along a few life choices that ended up killing my soul had brought me to this point.
Although I've made myself more resilient and kept hoping to get a job several times since being laid off, it felt like I was lagging behind my friends. My grief was so severe. My friends were earning well, cruising the globe. It was I who was cooped up in the room, doing nothing. The situation deteriorated when my friend jokingly exclaimed: Oh! You still haven't found a job. As a result, I became angry and was about to smash the desktop against the wall.
When I told my therapist about this, he laughed. It was a little annoying, so I said, "Well, this is not funny at all." In response, he gently asked, "Has anyone ever told you to buy the plates?" I shook my head no and bawled. "Go buy them!" he encouraged me.
Though I was initially enthusiastic about the concept, I was unaware of the benefits. So, I took the initiative to get it done on my own. By imagining it a thousand times, I chose one day and bought three sets of white dinnerware. Of course, I must have looked perfectly normal to the shoppers around me. But I felt somehow different.
I arrived at the retreat late afternoon after that crazy shopping trip in cloudy, cold weather. After unpacking the boxes, I placed them on the concrete slab. Every bit of suffering and heartache I went through, I wrote on the plates with permanent ink.
When I opened the first box, my heart ached for the pain I'd bottled up for so long, as well as the anguish I'd endured year after year. Immediately, I grabbed a coffee mug and clutched it tight in my hands. I shifted my weight back, lifted my arm, and smashed the cup into the ground with all my strength. The cup broke into several pieces. I felt relieved. I then grabbed a plate, a bowl, and as quickly as I could, I started smashing everything in the box. It didn't take me long to open the second box and the third box as well. Out of rage and loud cries, I again smashed the pieces that did not break small enough. For my job, for my bad decisions, for loss, for pain, for regret, and grief, I broke. Upon reaching the very bottom of the box, I fell to my knees and cut my hand on the shards.
Gloves and goggles didn't cross my mind. Because in anger, there is no logic, which is why it is known as "blind rage." It's no wonder anger is so powerful. It disguises apathy, envy, and frustration. When we are vulnerable, rage comes in strong.
Suddenly, all that anger melted away, and I stopped breaking things. While the world is brimming with broken pieces, some things are just too valuable to lose. After a few moments of reflection, I glanced back.
Finally, I collected the last plate and set it aside. There can be times when screaming and smashing can be healing. Then, I loaded everything back into the car in the paper bag I had brought. Once I had broken them, I realized how those pieces had helped me overcome my problems. Let go of the shards that have shattered. You will only find healing then.
I hereby grant you universal permission to rush out and buy your plates. Why share your grievance over coffee when you can break that cup instead? Being yourself is fine. Don't let anything stand between you and your big dreams. Be bold and go for it. The rest is just clutter. I urge you to take action now, readers. Let go of the grief and embrace happiness.
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